At Medanta, our experts use several means of diagnosing Ascites, including -
...At Medanta, our experts use several means of diagnosing Ascites, including -
You would be advised to:
Diuretics are recommended to increase water and salt excretion from the kidneys.
Excessive fluid can be removed by extracting it from the abdominal area, using a needle and in sterile conditions. About four to five litres of fluid can be drained in this method, every time.
If your case is refractory and does not seem to respond well to the methods described above, your doctor may suggest a surgical therapy to treat ascites.
This is a procedure done through the internal jugular vein (the main vein in the neck) under local anaesthesia by an interventional radiologist. A shunt is placed between the portal venous system and the systemic venous system (veins returning blood back to the heart), thereby reducing the portal pressure. This procedure is reserved for patients who have minimal response to aggressive medical treatment. It has been shown to reduce ascites and either limit or eliminate the use of diuretics in a majority of cases performed. However, it is associated with significant complications such as hepatic encephalopathy and even death. More traditional shunt placements like peritoneovenous shunt and systemic portosystemic shunt have been essentially abandoned due to their high rate of complications.}|
Liver transplantation for advanced cirrhosis may be considered a treatment for ascites due to liver failure. Liver transplant involves a very complicated and prolonged process and it requires very close monitoring and management by transplant specialists.
Contact your doctor at Medanta if you observe the symptoms such as abdominal swelling, weight gain, bloating, sense of fullness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, or swelling in lower legs.
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